Ward 14

Councilman Joe Santiago was elected to represent Cleveland’s Ward 14 on November 8, 2005. He is the second Hispanic American Councilman to be elected to serve in Cleveland. 

Community development has been a continuing focus of Councilman Santiago’s tenure.  He believes that, with the effort of all community members, the Ward can become a safe, affordable and united place to live and raise a family.  He strongly encourages residents to join block clubs or community organizations as well as involve children in youth programs throughout the City.  He is also working hard to revitalize the neighborhood and to provide residents with much needed services.    

Councilman Santiago has a long track record of community activism.  During the reconstruction of the I-90 Innerbelt underway, Councilman Santiago was concerned with traffic and neighborhood safety.  Under Councilman Santiago’s leadership, a Traffic Committee was created.  His efforts united surrounding neighborhoods that worked together to solve traffic and safety issues.  Through these efforts, the neighborhoods formed the East-West United Neighborhoods Traffic Coalition to ensure that residents and businesses were protected and included in the decision-making process regarding traffic impact. 

Councilman Santiago attended St. Michael’s, the Cleveland School for the Arts and Lincoln West High School.  He worked as a cook at Holy Family Cancer Home before joining the United States Navy.  The Councilman served in the Liberation of Kuwait and Operation Desert Storm.  He was also an Enlisted Aide to the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon. 

A graduate of the Citizen Police Academy, Councilman Santiago sat on the Second District Police Community Relations Committee and served as Co-Chair for the BOBCAT Patrol.  The Councilman went on to complete the Cleveland Leadership Program, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.  He is certified in nutrition management by the Metro Community College of Nebraska and completed the Culinary Institute of America’s cooking program.           

After the Councilman’s ten-year naval career, he returned to Cleveland to become active in his community.  He was chairman of the Holmden Buhrer Rowley Block Club and served as a board member of the Tremont West Development Corporation before being elected Councilman.